The elven barrier stretched before them like a silent boundary, invisible but impossible to ignore. The forest around them seemed to hold its breath, as if even nature knew this was not a place for humans... nor a moment for patience.
Fara paced back and forth, unable to stay still. Every few steps she stopped, looked toward the point where Lissana and Eren had disappeared hours ago... and then moved again, restless.
“They’re taking too long,” she said for the third time.
Uzziel remained leaning against the trunk of a nearby tree, arms crossed, though the rigidity of his posture betrayed him. His eyes did not leave the distance.
“I know,” he replied. “Much longer than I thought. Even if they weren’t coming back... they should have sent someone to find us.”
“And yet, time keeps passing
